George Takei Calls Coming Out Gay 'Liberating;' Didn't Expect Career To 'Blossom'

By
On Top Magazine Staff
Published:
July 29, 2014

Appearing Monday on NPR's Fresh Air,
actor George Takei described speaking out for LGBT rights for the
first time as a gay man as “liberating.”

Takei, who is best known for his role
as Hikaru Sulu on Star Trek, is currently promoting a
documentary on his life titled To Be Takei.

When host Terry Gross asked how it felt
to speak out on LGBT rights for the first time as a gay man after
coming out in 2005, Takei said that he feared the decision would end
his career.

“It was liberating. It was so
freeing, but at the same time I was prepared for my career to go on
the downward, but the polar opposite happened – it has blossomed,”
Takei
said. “I was invited to do guest appearances ... as gay George
Takei [on various shows such as] Will & Grace or The
Big Bang Theory. I got the invitation from Howard Stern to be his
official announcer, which [Brad Altman] and I talked about, too.”

To Be Takei runs exclusively on
DIRECTV through August 5. The film opens in limited release on
Friday, August 22. It will also be available the same day on iTunes
and other VOD sites.